Tattoo Trends in Social Media: Analyzing the Shift Between Cultural Acceptance and Removal Perception

This study explores the evolving perception of tattoos in Korean society, focusing on the dual discourse of cultural acceptance and removal, as observed through social media. Traditionally stigmatized, tattoos have gained popularity as a form of self-expression and artistic identity, especially among younger generations. Social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube have played a key role in this transformation by enabling tattoo artists and users to share content, thus normalizing tattoos as a cultural practice. At the same time, a growing trend of tattoo removal is emerging, driven by regret, professional concerns, and changing personal values. To examine these opposing narratives, the study collected tattoo-related data from social media throughout 2024 and conducted Social Network Analysis (SNA) using Netminer 4.x. Fifty frequently used keywords were analyzed through degree centrality, eigenvector centrality, and cluster analysis. The findings show that “Tattoo” and “Tattoo Removal” are central nodes in their respective networks. While the acceptance discourse is associated with creativity and identity—via keywords like “Art” and “Self-expression”—the removal discourse links to emotional and societal pressures, such as “Regret” and “Social Perception.” Cluster analysis revealed four thematic groups for each narrative, highlighting the contrast between individual empowerment and social conformity. This research provides practical insights into the tattoo and cosmetic industries, emphasizes the need for clearer regulatory frameworks, and illustrates how social media shapes public attitudes toward tattoos. Despite limitations, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how tattoos are culturally interpreted and negotiated in modern Korean society.